Queen Elizabeth 'humbled' by jubilee outpouring

In a rare public broadcast on Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth II thanked the millions of supporters who came from across Britain and the Commonwealth to attend what she described as a "humbling" four days of jubilee events celebrating her 60-year reign.

AFP - Queen Elizabeth II said Tuesday the four days of events for her diamond jubilee had been "humbling", in a rare broadcast address to Britain and the Commonwealth.

"The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience," the 86-year-old sovereign said in the brief message.

"It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere."

Millions of people have turned out for the celebrations of her 60 years on the throne, which included a huge river pageant on the Thames in London on Sunday and a star-studded pop concert on Monday.

But the queen's husband Prince Philip, 90, has been absent from the festivities since being taken to hospital with a bladder infection on Monday.The queen said, "Prince Philip and I want to take take this opportunity to offer our special thanks and appreciation to all those who have had a hand in organising these jubilee celebrations.

JUNE 2-6: QUEEN ELIZABETH CELEBRATES HER DIAMOND JUBILEE

1936: The death of King George V. Edward, his eldest son, succeeds him but abdicates less than a year later. Edward’s younger brother, Albert, ascends the British throne as George VI. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth, aged 10, becomes crown princess.

1940: With World War II underway, Elizabeth and her sister Margaret move away from London, which is bombed by the Germans. That year, Elizabeth, aged 14, reads her first radio address for the children of the British Commonwealth.

1944: Then-Crown Princess Elizabeth joins the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, a branch of the British army. She learns auto mechanics and drives military trucks and ambulances. She rises to the rank of Junior Commander.

1947: A few months after completing her first state visit - to South Africa – 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten, 26, a distant cousin.

1948: Charles, the couple’s first child, is born. Three other children would follow: Anne, born 1950, Andrew in 1960 and Edward in 1964.

1952: King George VI dies. Elizabeth cuts short an official tour of Kenya to return home and claim the throne.

1953: Queen Elizabeth II, aged 27, is crowned on June 2 at Westminster Abbey. A live broadcast of the ceremony is relayed on radio and television for the first time, with more than 100 million spectators watching the event on TV.

1977: To mark her Silver Jubilee (25 years on the throne), Queen Elizabeth and her husband embark on a world tour. During three months they visit 36 countries and travel a total of 90,000 kilometres.

1992: A year Queen Elizabeth will describe as her 'annus horribilis': a fire devastates Windsor Castle and three of her children split with their spouses. Prince Charles separates with Princess Diana after 11 years of marriage.

1997: Shock grips England after Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car accident in Paris. When Diana’s coffin passes outside the gates of Buckingham, the Queen ignores protocol by bowing to the funeral procession.

2002: Elizabeth’s sister Princess Margaret, 71, and the Queen Mother, 101, die. In February, she celebrates her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne.

2011: Queen Elizabeth travels to Ireland. It is the first time a British monarch has visited the country since it gained independence in 1921. In a landmark speech, she pays tribute to “all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past.”

"It has been a massive challenge, and I am sure that everyone who has enjoyed these festive occasions realises how much work has been involved."

In the message recorded at Buckingham Palace on Monday, she added: "I hope that memories of all this year's happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come.

"I will continue to treasure and draw inspiration from the countless kindnesses shown to me in this country and throughout the Commonwealth.

'Thank you all'

The video appeared on the royal family's channel on YouTube as well as being broadcast on British television and radio and around the Commonwealth, the grouping of 54 countries, mainly former colonies.

The queen, who has never given an interview, delivers an annual Christmas message but extra broadcasts are rare.

She did address the nation about the first Gulf War in 1991 and also gave a tribute in 1997 to Diana, Princess of Wales after her death in a car crash.

The queen led a grand carriage procession through London on Tuesday and then appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave to huge crowds of well-wishers.